Bar Exam: NamedTobias. – Blood Work: Covered (EP)

Bar Exam: NamedTobias. – Blood Work: Covered (EP)

A One Listen Review

The Toronto/Brampton artist Namedtobias just dropped a three track project entitled Blood Work: Covered. NamedTobias is fairly new to us at newh2o. We’ve featured one or two of his tracks this year, but he’s definitely been putting in some work when it comes to his craft, and from what I remember hearing he’s got some good production to boot. I’m excited to put this newest release through the bar exam. Let’s go.

Doubt Me – Here at the top there’s intensity in the keys. A lot of reverb washing this intro out. As the beat filters in and out, Tobias is coming at us with his faults and failures. This first verse is hot, he’s confident and comfortable with his environment. The beat is nice, clean and put together well. The hook feels a little awkward. The content is fine, but the change in the EQ to phase one vocal back a bit, paired with the other vocal in the front of the mix is a little strange. We’re starting out at the bar here.

Guidance – Straight away he speaks over the instrumental before it really starts to knock. Once the beat drops, Tobias is at the hook. This all sounds good here. The loop is simple, and there’s a slight rumble to the bass. “Pray for em shed the light they stay foreign/Don’t relate can’t take em/Christ handle my opponents/It’s the only way so I put it in a song/I really do forgive ya’ll/Respect on my condolence/It’s love”

Patience Is Everything – There’s a lot of momentum in this one as the track builds. The ingredients to all of these tunes seems to be the same. Keys and pianos on top of moving bass lines. It works on a short EP, but too many more tracks like this and my ears would get tired of the same textures throughout. “Patience is everything I’m just trying to be great” Tobias’s performances are solid. His voice sounds laid back and his flow is pretty easy.

Man, this was a quick listen. Everything is absolutely solid here. NamedTobias. speaks with authority and honesty on all three of these tracks. The production was just as appealing as the mic skills. All of these songs are done very well and for what they are there’s not much wrong with them. I pointed out the hook in track one, and then the idea that the music beds are all about the same. On top of those things, I kept feeling like there was another level to be attained here. If I’m going to return to a project, there needs to be something that stands out. I kept waiting for that moment of awe. NamedTobias put together a solid three tracks, I’m just excited to hear him get to that next level.